Final Paper Eth 125

Diversity has spread to every corner of the United States. Diversity is what enables us to grow and evolve as a society. The most interesting fact I uncovered was that communities where whites are the majority are still the norm (82.6%), but those where they dominate are gradually disappearing. According to an analysis of census data by Penn State’s Population Research Institute, the number of places where no group is a majority has more than quintupled. In my opinion our society has come a long way with regards to race, religion and sexuality. Honestly, I have not learned much new information about diversity that would enable me to understand or relate to others any differently, but I wouldn’t be opposed to new ideas or concepts. I have been fortunate enough to grow up in a family and in environment that has always had a healthy mix of individuals from a multitude of cultural backgrounds. The African American experience is one steeped in history. It is a story of pain, struggle, triumph and resilience. Speaking as an African American woman, I am proud to see the progress that has been made by my people over the last 200 plus years. When I begin to peel back the layers of my history, I am amazed. From slavery to creating some of the world’s most commonly used machinery to the election of the first African American president of the United States, it makes my heart smile. As a child I was never taught color, but that didn’t stop a few others from reminding me of what color I was. Now grown with a child of my own, it is my duty to teach him how to look beyond one’s physical traits and get to know the person. The one thing I have learned is even though we may identify with a particular race, religion or belief system we are all human and subject to criticism, prejudice and judgement just the same. As the years move by trends in immigration will continue to shape the demographics of the United States. I think that by the year 2050 there will no longer be any areas made up predominantly of one race. The idea of living in a country where you are automatically afforded rights just for being a citizen is so appealing to immigrants wanting to start a new life. Many refer to America as the great “melting pot” and this rings true. According to Pew Research Center, the current population will rise to 438 million in 2050 from 296 million in 2005 (2013). Everyone wants to be in a place where they can live out their dreams. We all want our children to have the best opportunities. The U.S. provides the help that so many are desperately seeking to build a new life. The future belongs to the persons who straddle many different worlds and can help explain them to each other. With such diversity already present and more growth on the horizon for the United States, new challenges will arise. The most common challenge will be retaining our individuality and being unified without brushing aside the important differences that make us distinct. I think prejudice, discrimination as well as legislation will be a challenge due to the diversity of it’s people. There will always be a group of people who are unwilling to learn about one another. Legislation will become an issue simply because those living in the U.S. and have freedom to exercise their religious beliefs may seek for new laws to be past to accommodate the cultural or religious rituals. For example, in some cultures human sacrifice is a common practice, however U.S. law prohibits killing another individual. Challenges of this caliber must be met with carefully planned deterrents and solutions. The positives of having such a diverse society is learning new things and growing as individuals. Diversity also promotes tolerance and acceptance of other cultures. Acceptance is a big part of life. When you learn how to accept someone or something for who or what they are, life is a breeze. Learning more about each other and each others cultural differences will decrease racism, discrimination and prejudice. This decrease will then promote an increase in education, our ability to work together and our productivity in creating a better society to live in. Once we achieve such cohesion, we can begin to find solutions for larger problems plaguing our society such as homelessness, violence and unemployment. Acceptance and cultural pluralism in the United States are present, but I feel there is still more work to be done. We can foster such a climate by just being respectful of one another. Treating someone as you want to be treated can go a long way. We must remain mindful that everyone, no matter their race, religion, nationality or sexual preference, is a human being. If we all could just remember this core commonality our society would be a much more harmonious place. What you look like, who you love or who you pray to should be of no concern to the next person. The media can be a powerful tool. It can be used to unite or divide a society against itself. Multimedia outlets play a very poignant role in perpetuating certain stereotypes and creating prejudice. More often than not I will turn on the tv and here of some type of violence that has taken place or a drug deal gone bad and it is usually followed by a picture of a black male. Whenever I hear of gang violence or illegal immigrants the picture of some hispanics are flashed. When you are flash flooded with images and certain words, subconsciously your brain will begin to create a link between the two. This is what happens when you are force fed certain sights and sounds over and over again. If you see or hear something enough times you will begin to believe that there is some truth to it. Prime example, post 9-11 most of the movies produced in Hollywood depicted Arabs or anyone resembling a person of middle eastern descent as a terrorist. Imagery of this caliber perpetuates the stereotype that any person matching that description are religious radicals out to blow up the world. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Oftentimes blacks and hispanics are portrayed as gang members and drug dealers. Even with an African American president and a hispanic woman holding a position on the highest court in the land, these stereotypes are still floated about as if they are true. As viewers it is our responsibility to decipher fact from opinion. Despite the carnage that the media can leave in it’s wake, it can also be used as a tool to foster appreciation for diversity. A great example would be a film called “The Help”. Based on the 2009 novel by Kathryn Stockett set in the Civil Rights era, the story exposed the racism and mistreatment of the maids who worked for white families. This film showed how one person’s determination to right a wrong could change the perspectives and attitudes of an entire town. Another great example would be one of my favorite shows “Modern Family”. This comedy series follows the day to day life of what are now considered the “new norms” of American families. It shows the everyday struggles from the view of a traditional family with 2.5 children and a pet, a homosexual couple raising a child and the dynamics of a family with a husband of a more seasoned age married to a younger woman who happens to be a minority. This show pushes acceptance and cultural pluralism to it’s bounds. I think that there are a number of things that can be done to get individuals and the United States working together to reduce prejudice and increase appreciation for diversity. Change is a process, but it should always end in progress.One thing to do would be to keep finding new and inventive ways to teach equality to the upcoming generation. Also lead by example, how can we tell our children bullying is wrong yet we start wars at the drop of a hat. We can also increase appreciation for diversity by just accepting one another for who they are. At the end of the day we are all human and we all have feelings, it’s good practice to just try to be respectful and open minded to any and all possibilities.
With each passing day I am learning and doing more. I am anxious to become more informed about issues that are plaguing the gay and lesbian community. I try to do my small part by volunteering at a nursing home when I can. I tip my hat to those who came before me, because without their knowledge and experiences we would be lost. Treating everyone with the respect that I want given to me is the best way I can think of to change my behavior to be more inclusive and pluralistic.

(2013). Retrieved from http://www.pewsocialtrends.org…...

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